Meaty Baked Pasta

Heat Olive Oil (1 Tbsp) in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add Onions (1/2 cup) and Garlic (3 cloves) and cook for 2-3 minutes until starting to soften, stirring often.

Add Lean Ground Beef (12 oz) and Mild Italian Sausages (12 oz) . Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking apart any large chunks and stirring often. Dab out any excess fat with a paper towel.

To the meat add Marinara Sauce (2 lb) , Canned Diced Tomatoes (1 3/4 cups) , Italian Seasoning (1 Tbsp) , Salt (1/2 tsp) , Ground Black Pepper (1/2 tsp) and Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (1/4 tsp) .

While meat sauce is simmering, cook Penne Pasta (3 3/4 cups) according to package directions using well-salted water. Drain pasta and set aside.

In a small bowl stir together Ricotta Cheese (1 1/2 cups) , Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (3/4 cup) , Grated Parmesan Cheese (1/4 cup) , Dried Basil (1 tsp) , and a sprinkle of Salt (to taste) and Ground Black Pepper (to taste) .

To the pot with the remaining pasta add remaining meat sauce. Stir to combine and pour over ricotta cheese layer. Top with remaining Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (3/4 cup) and Grated Parmesan Cheese (1/4 cup) .